Medical drapes and methods for reducing trauma on removal

ABSTRACT

In some illustrative examples, a medical drape suitable for treating a tissue site may include an adherent surface including first adherent force profile oriented along a first axis and a second adherent force profile oriented along a second axis. The first adherent force profile may have an average force less than an average force of the second adherent force profile. Other apparatuses, systems, and methods are also provided.

RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/341,857, entitled “Medical Drapes and Methods for Reducing Trauma onRemoval,” filed Nov. 2, 2016, which claims the benefit, under 35 USC119(e), of the filing of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/257,082, entitled “Medical Drapes and Methods for Reducing Trauma onRemoval,” filed Nov. 18, 2015, which is incorporated herein by referencefor all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to medical treatment systems and, moreparticularly, but not by way of limitation, to medical drapes, systems,devices, and methods for treating a tissue site.

BACKGROUND

A medical drape may have a variety of applications alone or incombination with medical treatment systems, devices, and methods thatmay be useful for treating a tissue site. Improvements to medicaldrapes, systems, devices, and methods may benefit manufacturers,healthcare providers, and patients. Such benefits may include, withoutlimitation, faster healing times, increased patient comfort, andenhanced efficiency and usability.

SUMMARY

According to some illustrative, non-limiting examples, a medical drapefor treating a tissue site may include an adherent surface includingfirst adherent force profile oriented along a first axis and a secondadherent force profile oriented along a second axis. The first adherentforce profile may have an average force less than an average force ofthe second adherent force profile.

According to some illustrative, non-limiting examples, a medical drapefor treating a tissue site may include an adhesive pattern on anadherent surface. The adherent surface may include a first adherentforce profile oriented along a first axis and a second adherent forceprofile oriented along a second axis. The first adherent force profilemay have an average force less than an average force of the secondadherent force profile.

According to some illustrative, non-limiting examples, a system fortreating a tissue site may include a medical drape adapted to provide asealed space relative to the tissue site. The medical drape may includean adherent surface including first adherent force profile orientedalong a first axis and a second adherent force profile oriented along asecond axis. The first adherent force profile may have an average forceless than an average force of the second adherent force profile. Thesystem may additionally include a manifold and a reduced-pressuresource. The manifold may be adapted to be disposed in the sealed spaceand to distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site. Thereduced-pressure source may be for fluidly coupling to the sealed space.

According to some illustrative, non-limiting examples, a medical drapefor treating a tissue site may include a base layer and an adhesive. Thebase layer may include a first axis, a second axis, and a plurality ofapertures positioned on the base layer. The plurality of apertures mayinclude an elongate length and a width positioned normal to the elongatelength. The elongate length may be oriented along the first axis andconfigured to overlap at least a portion of a space between theplurality of apertures along the first axis. The plurality of aperturesmay be separated by a border region along the second axis. The adhesivemay be carried by the plurality of apertures.

According to some illustrative, non-limiting examples, a system fortreating a tissue site with reduced pressure may include a manifold, acover, a medical drape, and a reduced-pressure source. The manifold maybe adapted to distribute reduced pressure to the tissue site. Themanifold may include a tissue-facing side for facing the tissue site,and an outward-facing side opposite the tissue-facing side. The covermay be adapted to be positioned on the outward-facing side of themanifold. In some embodiments, the cover may provide a sealed space atthe tissue site containing the manifold. Further, the cover may includea periphery. The medical drape may be adapted to be positioned proximateto the periphery of the cover. The medical drape may include an adherentsurface including an average adherent force along a first axis of themedical drape that is less than an average adherent force along a secondaxis of the medical drape. The first axis may be oriented along theperiphery of the cover. The reduced-pressure source may be adapted forpositioning in fluid communication with the sealed space.

According to some illustrative, non-limiting examples, a method fortreating a tissue site may include disposing a manifold proximate to thetissue site and covering the manifold at the tissue site with a cover.Further, the method may include providing a medical drape. The medicaldrape may include an adherent surface including an average adherentforce along a first axis of the medical drape that is less than anaverage adherent force along a second axis of the medical drape.Further, the method may include positioning the adherent surface of themedical drape on tissue around a periphery of the cover. The first axisof the medical drape may be oriented along the periphery of the cover.

According to some illustrative, non-limiting examples, a method fortreating a tissue site may include providing a medical drape adhered toa tissue at the tissue site. The medical drape may include an adherentsurface including an average adherent force along a first axis of themedical drape that is less than an average adherent force along a secondaxis of the medical drape. Further, the method may include removing themedical drape from the tissue. Removing the medical drape may includepeeling the medical drape away from the tissue along the first axis ofthe medical drape.

According to some illustrative, non-limiting examples, a medical drapefor treating a tissue site may include a base layer and an adhesive. Thebase layer may include a first axis, a second axis, and a plurality ofapertures on the base layer. At least one of the plurality of aperturesmay be configured to overlap at least a portion of a space between theplurality of apertures along the first axis. The plurality of aperturesmay be separated along the second axis by a border region. The adhesivemay be adapted to be carried by the plurality of apertures.

According to some illustrative, non-limiting examples, a medical drapefor treating a tissue site may include a first adhesive layer and asecond adhesive. The first adhesive layer may include a first axis, asecond axis, and a plurality of apertures disposed through the firstadhesive layer in an overlapping pattern. The plurality of apertures mayinclude an elongate length and a width positioned normal to the elongatelength. The elongate length may be oriented along the first axis andconfigured to overlap a at least a portion of a space between theplurality of apertures along the first axis. The plurality of aperturesmay be separated by a border region along the second axis. The secondadhesive may be carried by the plurality of apertures, and may include asecond adherent force greater than a first adherent force of the firstadhesive layer. The first adhesive layer and the second adhesive maydefine an adhesive pattern on an adherent surface. The adherent surfacemay include a first adherent force profile oriented along the first axisand a second adherent force profile oriented along the second axis. Thefirst adherent force profile may have an average force less than anaverage force of the second adherent force profile.

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the illustrative embodimentswill become apparent with reference to the drawings and detaileddescription that follow.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial cut-away view of an illustrative example of a systemsuitable for treating a tissue site;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an illustrative example of amedical drape that may be deployed with the example system in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 3 is a detail view of an illustrative example of a medical drapetaken at reference FIG. 3 shown in FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of an illustrative example of a base layer shownas a component of the example medical drape of FIG. 2 ;

FIGS. 5A-5B each depict an illustrative datum line that may correspondto part of an example adherent force profile along a first axis for amedical drape according to this disclosure;

FIGS. 5C-5D each depict an illustrative datum line that may correspondto part of an example adherent force profile along a second axis for amedical drape according to this disclosure;

FIG. 6 is a graphical plot of load versus time of an example adherentforce profile along a first axis and an example adherent force profilealong a second axis for a medical drape according to this disclosure;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of an illustrative example of a plurality ofexample medical drapes deployed with an illustrative example of a cover;and

FIG. 8 is a plan view of another illustrative example of a medical drapeand a cover.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODIMENTS

In the following detailed description of illustrative examples orembodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form apart of this disclosure. Other embodiments may be used, and logical,structural, mechanical, electrical, and chemical changes may be madewithout departing from the scope of this disclosure. Further, thedescription may omit certain information known to those skilled in theart. Therefore, the following detailed description is non-limiting, withthe scope of the illustrative embodiments being defined by the appendedclaims. Further, as used throughout this disclosure, “or” does notrequire mutual exclusivity.

In one embodiment, described below, the medical drape described hereinmay be used as part of a system for treating wounds. Such systems caninclude absorbent materials for managing exudates or negative pressurewound therapy systems. In other embodiments the medical drape may beused as a stand along device.

Referring to FIG. 1 , provided is an illustrative, non-limitingembodiment of a system 100 suitable for treating a tissue site 102 on apatient 104. The tissue site 102 is shown extending through or involvingan epidermis 106, a dermis 108, and a subcutaneous tissue 110. Thetissue site 102 may be the bodily tissue of any human, animal, or otherorganism, including bone tissue, adipose tissue, muscle tissue, dermaltissue, vascular tissue, connective tissue, cartilage, tendons,ligaments, or any other tissue. Treatment of the tissue site 102 mayinclude removal of fluids, such as, for example, exudate or ascites. Thesystem 100 may also be used with other tissue sites without limitation,and may be used with or without reduced pressure.

In some embodiments, the system 100 may include a manifold 112, amedical drape 114, and a reduced-pressure source 116. The manifold 112may be disposed proximate to the tissue site 102, and may include atissue-facing side 115 for facing the tissue site 102 and anoutward-facing side 117 opposite the tissue-facing side 115. Further,the manifold 112 may be adapted to distribute reduced pressure to thetissue site 102, or otherwise manage fluids that may be associated withthe tissue site 102. The medical drape 114 may be adapted to provide asealed space 118 relative to the tissue site 102. For example, themedical drape 114 may cover or be disposed over the manifold 112 to formthe sealed space 118. The manifold 112 may be positioned or disposed inthe sealed space 118, and the reduced-pressure source 116 may bepositioned or coupled in fluid communication with the manifold 112 orthe sealed space 118.

The manifold 112 may be a substance or structure provided to assist inapplying reduced pressure to, delivering fluids to, or removing fluidsfrom the tissue site 102. The manifold 112 may include a plurality offlow channels or pathways that can distribute fluids provided to andremoved from the tissue site 102. In some embodiments, these flowchannels or pathways may be interconnected to improve distribution offluids provided to or removed from the tissue site 102. Further, in someembodiments, the manifold 112 may comprise one or more of the following:a biocompatible material capable of being placed in contact with thetissue site 102 and distributing reduced pressure to the tissue site102; devices that have structural elements arranged to form flowchannels, such as, for example, cellular foam, open-cell foam, poroustissue collections, liquids, gels, and foams that include, or cure toinclude, flow channels; porous material, such as foam, gauze, feltedmat, or any other material suited to a particular biologicalapplication; or porous foam that includes a plurality of interconnectedcells or pores that act as flow channels, such as a polyurethane,open-cell, reticulated foam manufactured as GranuFoam® by KineticConcepts, Incorporated of San Antonio, Tex.; a bioresorbable material;or a scaffold material. In some embodiments, the manifold 112 may alsobe used to distribute fluids such as medications, anti-bacterials,growth factors, and various solutions to the tissue site 102.

The reduced-pressure source 116 may provide reduced pressure as a partof the system 100. The reduced-pressure source 116 may be fluidlycoupled to a conduit interface 120 by a delivery conduit 122. Anaperture (not shown) may be formed on a portion of the medical drape 114to allow fluid communication between the sealed space 118 and thereduced-pressure source 116 through the conduit interface 120 and thedelivery conduit 122.

As used herein, “reduced pressure” may refer to a pressure less than theambient pressure at a tissue site being subjected to treatment, such asthe tissue site 102. The reduced pressure may be less than theatmospheric pressure. The reduced pressure may also be less than ahydrostatic pressure at a tissue site. Unless otherwise indicated,quantitative values of pressure stated herein are gauge pressures.

The reduced pressure delivered to the sealed space 118 or the manifold112 may be constant or varied, patterned or random, and may be deliveredcontinuously or intermittently. Although the terms “vacuum” and“negative pressure” may be used to describe the pressure applied to atissue site, the actual pressure applied to the tissue site may be morethan the pressure normally associated with a complete vacuum. Consistentwith the use herein, unless otherwise indicated, an increase in reducedpressure or vacuum pressure may refer to a relative reduction inabsolute pressure.

The reduced-pressure source 116 may be any device for supplying areduced pressure, such as a vacuum pump, wall suction, micro-pump, orother source. While the amount and nature of reduced pressure applied toa tissue site may vary according to the application, the reducedpressure may be, for example, between about −5 mm Hg (−667 Pa) to about−500 mm Hg (−66.7 kPa). In some embodiments, the reduced pressure may bebetween about −75 mm Hg (−9.9 kPa) to about −300 mm Hg (−39.9 kPa).Further, in some embodiments, the reduced pressure may be between about−75 mm Hg (−9.9 kPa) to about −200 mm Hg (−26.66 kPa).

The reduced pressure developed by the reduced-pressure source 116 may bedelivered through the delivery conduit 122 to the conduit interface 120.The conduit interface 120 may allow the reduced pressure to be deliveredthrough the medical drape 114 to the manifold 112 and the sealed space118. In some embodiments, the conduit interface 120 may be a T.R.A.C.®Pad or Sensa T.R.A.C.® Pad available from KCI of San Antonio, Tex. Inother embodiments, the conduit interface 120 may be omitted, and thedelivery conduit 122 may be inserted through the medical drape 114 toprovide fluid communication with the sealed space 118. Further, in otherembodiments, the reduced pressure may also be generated by a device,such as, for example, a micro-pump that may be coupled directly to themedical drape 114 or the manifold 112 without use of the deliveryconduit 122 or the conduit interface 120.

Referring to FIGS. 1-4 , the medical drape 114 may include an adherentsurface 124 adapted to face the tissue site 102. The medical drape 114may be configured to provide a fluid seal over, around, or relative tothe tissue site 102. Further, the medical drape 114 may allow vapor toegress from the tissue site 102 through the medical drape 114. Forexample, in some embodiments, the medical drape 114 may be sized orconfigured to cover the tissue site 102 and a tissue around orsurrounding the tissue site 102, such as, for example, the epidermis 106of the patient 104. In some embodiments, the medical drape 114 mayentirely or completely cover the tissue site 102. In other embodiments,the medical drape 114 may be used on or at a portion of the tissue site102, or with other components of the system 100, in a variety ofapplications. For example, the medical drape 114 may be used, withoutlimitation, to provide or to enhance a fluid seal, to support tissue orsystem components, or to connect tissue or system components.

In some embodiments, the medical drape 114 may include a base layer 132and an adhesive 136. In some embodiments, the base layer 132 may bereferred to as a first adhesive layer 132 and the adhesive 136 may bereferred to as a second adhesive 136 or a second adhesive layer 136. Asfurther described herein, the base layer 132 or the first adhesive layer132 may have a first adherent force, and the adhesive 136 or the secondadhesive 136 may have a second adherent force that is different from thefirst adherent force. For example, in some embodiments, the secondadherent force of the second adhesive 136 may be greater than the firstadherent force of the first adhesive layer 132. A material having agreater adherent force or adherency may refer to a greater ability orforce associated with the material being able to stick, attract, tack,or hold on to another object. Thus, in some embodiments, the secondadhesive 136 may have a greater holding force than the first adhesivelayer 132.

Further, in some embodiments, the medical drape 114 may include anoptional sealing member 138. The sealing member 138 may, withoutlimitation, enhance the fluid seal of the medical drape 114 relative tothe tissue site 102 and assist with deployment of the adhesive 136.

The base layer 132 may include a base layer flange portion 152 that maybe configured to extend beyond a periphery or lateral boundary of thetissue site 102 or the manifold 112, for example, for coupling to tissuearound or surrounding the tissue site 102 or the manifold 112. In someembodiments, the base layer flange 152 may be configured to bepositioned in direct contact with tissue around or surrounding thetissue site 102, such as the epidermis 106. Further, in someembodiments, the base layer flange 152 may be positioned around orsurrounding a central region 153 of the base layer 132. Thus, in someembodiments, the base layer flange 152 may define, form, or bepositioned at, a periphery of the base layer 132. Further, the baselayer flange 152 may be configured to be positioned around the peripheryof the manifold 112 and the periphery of the tissue site 102. In someembodiments, the base layer flange 152 may be configured tosubstantially or entirely surround the periphery of the manifold 112 andthe periphery of the tissue site 102.

Further, the base layer 132 may include corners 154 and edges 155. Thecorners 154 and the edges 155 may be part of the base layer flange 152.One of the edges 155 may meet another of the edges 155 to define one ofthe corners 154.

In some embodiments, the base layer 132 may include a first side 156, asecond side 158 opposite the first side 156, and a plurality ofapertures 160 or perforations. Further, the base layer 132 may define afirst axis A of the medical drape 114 and a second axis B of the medicaldrape 114. The first side 156 of the base layer 132 may carry, support,or define the adherent surface 124 of the medical drape 114. In someembodiments, the plurality of apertures 160 may be positioned on thebase layer 132. In such embodiments, the plurality of apertures 160 maybe configured as pockets or depressions that may not pass entirelythrough a thickness of the base layer 132, or between the first side 156and the second side 158 of the base layer 132. For example, the baselayer 132 may be a sheet or carrier layer adapted to carry the adhesive136 on the first side 156 of the base layer 132 in an adhesive patternas described herein, such as, without limitation, as a pattern ofadhesive dots, ovals, rectangles, or other shapes. In other embodiments,the plurality of apertures may be disposed through the base layer 132between the first side 156 and the second side 158.

In some embodiments, the apertures 160 may be positioned at the centralregion 153 of the base layer 132, for example, to facilitate fluidcommunication with the manifold 112 or to couple the base layer 132 tothe manifold 112. Further, in some embodiments, the apertures 160 may bepositioned at the base layer flange 152, for example, to facilitatecoupling the base layer 132 to tissue around or surrounding the tissuesite 102. Further, in some embodiments, the central region 153 of thebase layer 132 may be positioned adjacent to or proximate to themanifold 112, and the base layer flange 152 may be positioned adjacentto or proximate to tissue around or surrounding the tissue site 102. Inthis manner, the base layer flange 152 may be positioned around orsurrounding the manifold 112. Further, the apertures 160 in the baselayer 132 may be in fluid communication with the manifold 112 and tissuearound or surrounding the tissue site 102.

The apertures 160 in the base layer 132 may have any shape, such as, forexample, circles, squares, stars, ovals, polygons, slits, complexcurves, rectilinear shapes, triangles, diamonds, or other shapes. Theapertures 160 may be formed by cutting, by application of local RFenergy, or other suitable techniques for forming an opening. Each of theapertures 160 of the plurality of apertures 160 may have an area and aboundary dimension. For example, the area of each of the apertures 160may refer to an open space, open region, or footprint defining each ofthe apertures 160. The boundary dimension is a measurement of the sizeof an aperture and may be, for example, a diameter, a width, a length orother distance between two opposing boundaries of one of the apertures160. The boundary dimension of each of the apertures 160 may be used todetermine or define the area of each of the apertures 160. The area ofthe apertures 160 described in the illustrative embodiments herein maybe substantially similar to the area in other embodiments (not shown)for the apertures 160 that may have non-circular shapes.

In some embodiments, the plurality of apertures 160 may have an elongateshape and include an elongate length 161 and a width 162 arranged orpositioned normal to the elongate length 161. In some embodiments, theelongate length 161 may be arranged at an angle relative to the width162. In such embodiments, the elongate length 161 may be greater thanthe width 162. A suitable elongate shape may be, without limitation, anoval, rectangle, or diamond. In some embodiments, the plurality ofapertures 160 may have an aspect ratio between about 1.2 to about 1.8.The aspect ratio of the plurality of apertures 160 may be determined ordefined by comparing or dividing the elongate length 161 by the width162. Further, in some embodiments, the elongate length 161 may bebetween about 20 percent to about 80 percent greater than the width 162.The boundary dimension for embodiments of the plurality of apertures 160including an elongate shape may be the elongate length 161.

The size and shape of each of the apertures 160 may be substantially thesame or may vary depending on the position of the aperture 160 in thebase layer 132. Similarly, the boundary dimension of each of theapertures 160 may be substantially the same, or each boundary dimensionmay vary depending, for example, on the position of the aperture 160 inthe base layer 132. For example, the boundary dimension of the apertures160 in the base layer flange 152 may be larger than the boundarydimension of the apertures 160 in the central region 153 of the baselayer 132. The boundary dimension of each of the apertures 160 may bebetween about 1 millimeter to about 50 millimeters. In some embodiments,the boundary dimension of each of the apertures 160 may be between about1 millimeter to about 20 millimeters. The apertures 160 may have auniform pattern or may be randomly distributed on the base layer 132.Further, in some embodiments, an aperture 160 b positioned at thecorners 154 may be smaller than an aperture 160 a positioned in otherportions of the base layer 132, such as the base layer flange 152 or thecentral region 153. In some embodiments, the apertures 160 a may have aboundary dimension between about 9 millimeters to about 11 millimeters,and the apertures 160 b may have a boundary dimension between about 7millimeters to about 9 millimeters.

The base layer 132 may be a soft, pliable material. For example, thebase layer 132 may comprise a gel, a silicone, hydrocolloid, hydrogel,polyurethane gel, polyolefin gel, hydrogenated styrenic copolymer gels,a foamed gel, a soft closed cell foam such as polyurethanes andpolyolefins coated with an adhesive described below, polyurethane,polyolefin, or hydrogenated styrenic copolymers. The base layer 132 mayhave a thickness between about 500 microns (μm) and about 1000 microns(μm). In some embodiments, the base layer 132 may have a stiffnessbetween about 5 Shore OO to about 80 Shore OO. The base layer 132 may becomprised of hydrophobic or hydrophilic materials. The base layer 132may be operable to enhance a fluid seal with the tissue site 102 asdescribed herein.

In some embodiments, the adhesive 136 may be associated with theapertures 160 such the adhesive 136 may be configured to extend, flow,flex, deform, or be pressed into or through the apertures 160. In someembodiments, the adhesive 136 may be configured to extend, flow, flex,deform, or be pressed outward from the apertures 160. As such, theadhesive 136 may be exposed to, positioned in contact with, positionedadjacent to, or positioned in fluid communication with the apertures 160and tissue surrounding the tissue site 102 through the apertures 160. Asshown in FIG. 3 , in some embodiments, the adhesive 136 may extend,flow, flex, deform, or be pressed through the plurality of apertures 160to form one or more adherent couplings 163 on the adherent surface 124of the medical drape 114. For example, in some embodiments, the adhesive136 may be initially positioned on the second side 158 of the base layer132 and adapted to extend, flow, flex, deform, or be pressed through theplurality of apertures 160 to the first side 156 to form the adherentcouplings 163 on the adherent surface 124. Further, in some embodiments,the adhesive 136 may be initially positioned on the first side 156 ofthe base layer 132 and carried or supported by the plurality ofapertures 160 on the first side 156 to form the adherent couplings 163.Thus, in some embodiments, the adherent couplings 163 may be portions ordots of the adhesive 136 arranged on the first side 156 of the baselayer 132 in an adhesive pattern. The adherent couplings 163 may bespaced apart from one another on the adherent surface 124 such that atleast a portion of the adherent surface 124 is free of the adherentcouplings 163. The adherent couplings 163 may have a greater adherentforce than the portion of the adherent surface 124 that is free of theadherent couplings 163.

The adherent couplings 163 may define at least a portion of the adherentsurface 124 of the base layer 132. Further, the arrangement orpositioning of the adherent couplings 163 described herein may define anadhesive pattern 165 on the base layer 132, such as, for example, on theadherent surface 124 of the base layer 132. In some embodiments, theplurality of apertures 160 and the adhesive 136 may define the adherentcouplings 163, and therefore, the plurality of apertures 160 and theadhesive 136 may also define the adherent surface 124 of the base layer132. However, the scope of this disclosure is not limited to anyparticular features described herein for forming the adherent couplings163.

The adherent couplings 163 may contact the epidermis 106 for securingthe medical drape 114 to, for example, tissue around or surrounding thetissue site 102. The adherent couplings 163 may also contact othertissue or other components of the system 100 as desired. Each of theadherent couplings 163 may correspond to each of the plurality ofapertures 160, and may have substantially the same position,orientation, configuration, spacing, or shape as the plurality ofapertures 160. Thus, the adherent couplings 163 may have substantiallythe same boundary dimension as the plurality of apertures 160,including, for example, substantially the same elongate length 161,width 162, and orientation. Further, in some embodiments, the adherentcouplings 163 may have an aspect ratio between about 1.2 to about 1.8similar to the plurality of apertures 160. Accordingly, such featuresmay be interchangeably referred to herein as being associated with theplurality of apertures 160 or the adherent couplings 163. Further, insome embodiments, the plurality of apertures 160 may provide acorresponding plurality of the adherent couplings 163 positioned on theadherent surface 124. The plurality of apertures 160 may providesufficient contact of the adhesive 136, forming the adherent couplings163, to the epidermis 106 to secure the medical drape 114 about thetissue site 102. However, the configuration of the apertures 160 and theadhesive 136, described below, may permit release and repositioning ofthe dressing assembly 112 about the tissue site 102.

At least one of the apertures 160 a in the base layer flange 152 may bepositioned at the edges 155 and may have an interior open or exposed atthe edges 155 such that the edge defines one or more sides of theaperture. Thus, the exposed interior of the apertures 160 a at the edges155 may permit the adhesive 136 to extend to the edge of the dressing.

The size and configuration of the apertures 160 may be designed tocontrol the adherence of the medical drape 114 at the tissue site 102.For example, the size and number of the apertures 160 b in the corners154 may be adjusted as necessary, depending on the chosen geometry ofthe corners 154, to increase the exposed surface area of the adhesive136 compared to the central region 153. Further, the apertures 160 b atthe corners 154 may be fully housed within the base layer 132,substantially precluding fluid communication in a lateral directionexterior to the corners 154. The apertures 160 b at the corners 154being fully housed or enclosed within the perimeter of the base layer132 may substantially preclude fluid communication of the adhesive 136exterior to the corners 154, and may provide improved handling. Further,the immediate outer perimeter of the drape being substantially free ofthe adhesive 136 may increase the flexibility of the corners 154 toenhance comfort. Similar to the apertures 160 b in the corners 154, anyof the apertures 160 may be adjusted in size and number to increase thesurface area of the adhesive 136 in fluid communication through theapertures 160 for a particular application or geometry of the base layer132.

The adhesive 136 may be a medically-acceptable adhesive. For example,the adhesive 136 may comprise an acrylic adhesive, rubber adhesive,high-tack silicone adhesive, polyurethane, or other adhesive substance.In some embodiments, the adhesive 136 may be a pressure-sensitiveadhesive comprising an acrylic adhesive with coating weight of 15grams/m² (gsm) to 70 grams/m² (gsm). In some embodiments, the adhesive136 may be a layer having substantially the same shape as the base layer132. In some embodiments, the adhesive 136 may be continuous layer. Inother embodiments, the adhesive 136 may be discontinuous. For example,the adhesive 136 may be a patterned coating on a carrier layer, such as,for example, a side of the sealing member 116 adapted to face theepidermis 106. Further, discontinuities in the adhesive 136 may be sizedto control the amount of the adhesive 136 extending through theapertures 160 in the base layer 132 to reach the epidermis 106. Thediscontinuities in the adhesive 136 may also be sized to enhance theMoisture Vapor Transfer Rate (MVTR) of the medical drape 114.

Factors that may be used to control the adhesion strength of the medicaldrape 114 may include the size of the boundary dimension, the size ofthe area, and the number of the apertures 160 in the base layer 132; thethickness of the base layer 132; the thickness and amount of theadhesive 136; and the tackiness of the adhesive 136. An increase in theamount of the adhesive 136 extending through the apertures 160 maycorrespond to an increase in the adhesion strength of the medical drape114. A decrease in the thickness of the base layer 132 may correspond toan increase in the amount of adhesive 136 extending through theapertures 160. Thus, the boundary dimension and configuration of theapertures 160, the thickness of the base layer 132, and the amount andtackiness of the adhesive 136 utilized may be varied to provide adesired adhesion strength for the medical drape 114. In someembodiments, the thickness of the base layer 132 may be about 200microns, the adhesive 136 may have a thickness of about 30 microns and atackiness of 2000 grams per 25 centimeter wide strip, and the boundarydimension of the apertures 160 a in the base layer 132 may be about 10millimeters.

In some embodiments, the tackiness of the adhesive 136 may vary indifferent locations of the base layer 132. For example, in locations ofthe base layer 132 where the apertures 160 are comparatively large, suchas the apertures 160 a, the adhesive 136 may have a lower tackiness thanother locations of the base layer 132 where the apertures 160 aresmaller, such as the apertures 160 b. In this manner, locations of thebase layer 132 having larger apertures 160 and lower tackiness adhesive136 may have an adhesion strength comparable to locations having smallerapertures 160 and higher tackiness adhesive 136.

The sealing member 138 may be adapted to partially or entirely cover thebase layer 132, such as the second side 158 of the base layer 132. Forexample, in some embodiments, the sealing member 138 may have aperiphery 164 and a central region 168. The periphery 164 of the sealingmember 138 may be positioned proximate to the base layer flange 152. Insome embodiments, the adhesive 136 may be positioned at least betweenthe periphery 164 of the sealing member 138 and the base layer flange152. In some embodiments, a portion of the periphery 164 of the sealingmember 138 may extend beyond the base layer flange 152 and into directcontact with tissue around or surrounding the tissue site 102. Thus, theadhesive 136 may also be positioned at least between the periphery 164of the sealing member 138 and tissue, such as the epidermis 106,surrounding the tissue site 102. In some embodiments, the adhesive 136may be disposed on a surface of the sealing member 138 adapted to facethe tissue site 102 and the base layer 132.

In some embodiments, the sealing member 138 may be configured to extendbeyond the periphery of the manifold 112. Further, in some embodiments,the sealing member 138 may be configured to cover at least a portion ofthe manifold 112 and to extend beyond the periphery of the manifold 112proximate to the base layer flange 152. In some embodiments, theadhesive 136 may be positioned between the sealing member 138 and thebase layer 132 such that the adhesive 136 may be adapted to flow throughthe plurality of apertures 160 when a force is applied to an exteriorsurface of the sealing member 138 to form the adherent couplings 163 onthe first side 156 of the base layer 132.

The initial tackiness of the base layer 132 may be sufficient toinitially couple the base layer 132 to the epidermis 106, the manifold112, or other component of the system 100. Once in a desired position, aforce may be applied to an exterior surface of the sealing member 138 tosecure the medical drape 114 in place. For example, a caretaker may rubthe exterior surface of the sealing member 138, which may cause at leasta portion of the adhesive 136 to move or deform into or through theplurality of apertures 160 for forming and positioning the adherentcouplings 163 in contact with tissue, such as the epidermis 106, orcomponents of the system 100. The adherent couplings 163 may provide asecure and releasable mechanical fixation.

The sealing member 138 may be formed from any material that allows for afluid seal. A fluid seal may be a seal adequate to maintain reducedpressure at a desired site given the particular reduced pressure sourceor system involved. In some embodiments, the sealing member 138 may be,without limitation, a liquid impermeable material or film. Further, insome embodiments, the sealing member 138 may comprise, for example, oneor more of the following materials: hydrophilic polyurethane;cellulosics; hydrophilic polyamides; polyvinyl alcohol; polyvinylpyrrolidone; hydrophilic acrylics; hydrophilic silicone elastomers; anINSPIRE 2301 material from Expopack Advanced Coatings of Wrexham, UnitedKingdom having, for example, an MVTR (inverted cup technique) of 14400g/m²/24 hours and a thickness of about 30 microns; a thin, uncoatedpolymer drape; natural rubbers; polyisoprene; styrene butadiene rubber;chloroprene rubber; polybutadiene; nitrile rubber; butyl rubber;ethylene propylene rubber; ethylene propylene diene monomer;chlorosulfonated polyethylene; polysulfide rubber; polyurethane (PU);EVA film; co-polyester; silicones; a silicone drape; a 3M Tegaderm®drape; a polyurethane (PU) drape such as one available from AveryDennison Corporation of Pasadena, Calif.; polyether block polyamidecopolymer (PEBAX), for example, from Arkema, France; Expopack 2327; orother appropriate material.

The sealing member 138 may be vapor permeable and liquid impermeable,thereby allowing vapor and inhibiting liquids from exiting the sealedspace 118. In some embodiments, the sealing member 138 may be aflexible, breathable film, membrane, or sheet having a high moisturevapor transfer rate (MVTR) of, for example, at least about 300 g/m² per24 hours. In other embodiments, a low or no vapor transfer drape mightbe used. The sealing member 138 may comprise a range of medicallysuitable films having a thickness between about 15 microns (μm) to about50 microns (μm).

Referring to FIGS. 4-6 , the adherent surface 124 of the medical drape114 may be configured to have a variable adherent force or strength. Forexample, the adherent surface 124 may have an adherent force orstrength, such as an average adherent force, that is greater in onedirection or axis along the adherent surface 124 than in anotherdirection or axis along the adherent surface 124. Further, the adherentsurface 124 may have a greater variability of adherent force or strengthin one direction or axis along the adherent surface 124 than in anotherdirection or axis along the adherent surface 124. Varying the adherentforce or strength may provide improvements to the serviceability of themedical drape 114 that may include, for example, enhancement to thesealing capability of the medical drape 114, and reduction orelimination of patient pain and damage to tissue upon removal of themedical drape 114. For example, configuring the medical drape 114 with avariable adherent force or strength may permit the medical drape 114 toresist peeling or loss of adherence to tissue in one direction whileallowing removal of the medical drape 114 in another direction withreduced force. In general, reducing the adherent force or reducingvariations in the force, such as a peak-to-peak force amplitude, along aparticular direction or axis of the medical drape 114 may reduce pain orpotential damage to tissue upon removal of the medical drape 114 alongthat direction or axis.

In some embodiments, the adherent surface 124 may include a firstadherent force profile 170 oriented along the first axis A of themedical drape 114 and a second adherent force profile 171 oriented alongthe second axis B of the medical drape 114. In some embodiments, thefirst axis A may be positioned substantially perpendicular to the secondaxis B. Further, in some embodiments, the first axis A may be coplanarto the second axis B.

The first adherent force profile 170 may have an average adherent forceor strength that differs from an average adherent force or strength ofthe second adherent force profile 171. For example, in some embodiments,the first adherent force profile 170 may have an average adherent forceless than an average adherent force of the second adherent force profile171. In some embodiments, the average adherent force of the firstadherent force profile 170 may be between about 10 percent to about 50percent less than the average adherent force of the second adherentforce profile 171. Further, in some embodiments, the first adherentforce profile 170 may have a first peak-to-peak force amplitude 172 lessthan a second peak-to-peak force amplitude 173 of the second adherentforce profile 171. In some embodiments, the first peak-to-peak forceamplitude 172 may be between about 50 percent to about 300 percent lessthan the second peak-to-peak force amplitude 173.

As shown in FIG. 4 , in some embodiments, the adherent couplings may bearranged in an overlapping pattern such that at least one of theadherent couplings 163 may overlap at least a portion of a space betweenthe adherent couplings 163 along the first axis A. Further, in someembodiments, at least one of the adherent couplings 163 may partially orentirely overlap another of the adherent couplings 163 along the firstaxis A. As described above, the adherent couplings 163 may havesubstantially the same elongate length 161 and the width 162 as theplurality of apertures 160. Thus, the adherent couplings 163 may includethe elongate length 161 and the width 162 positioned normal to theelongate length 161. In some embodiments, the elongate length 161 of theadherent couplings 163 may be greater than the width 162 of the adherentcouplings 163. The elongate length 161 may be oriented along the firstaxis A.

Similar to the adherent couplings 163, the elongate length 161 of theplurality of apertures 160 may be oriented along the first axis A andconfigured to overlap a space between the plurality of apertures 160along the first axis A. In some embodiments, the plurality of apertures160 may be spaced apart from one another, for example, on the base layer132 or the adherent surface 124. In some embodiments, at least one ofthe plurality of apertures 160 may be configured to overlap another ofthe plurality of apertures 160 along the first axis A, or overlap atleast a portion of a space between the plurality of apertures 160 alongthe first axis A. In some embodiments, the plurality of apertures 160may be free of overlap along the second axis B. Further, as describedabove, in some embodiments, the adhesive 136 may be carried by theplurality of apertures 160 to, for example, form the adherent couplings163.

In some embodiments, the medical drape 114 may include at least onetransition region 174 positioned on the adherent surface 124 along thefirst axis A. The transition region 174 may be positioned between theplurality of apertures 160 or the adherent couplings 163 along the firstaxis A. In some embodiments, the transition region 174 may be a space orother feature configured to separate each of apertures 160 or each ofthe adherent couplings 163 from one another along the first axis A. Insome embodiments, at least one of the apertures 160 or the adherentcouplings 163 may overlap the transition region 174 along the first axisA.

In some embodiments, the medical drape 114 may include a border region175 positioned on the adherent surface 124. The border region 175 may bepositioned between the apertures 160 or the adherent couplings 163 alongthe second axis B. For example, the border region 175 may separate thewidth 162 of one of the apertures 160 or one of the adherent couplings163 from the width 162 of another of the apertures 160 or another of theadherent couplings 163. For example, the border region 175 may be aspace or portion of the base layer 132 that is free of the apertures 160and the adherent couplings 163, or a space on the adherent surface 124that does not intersect the adherent couplings 163. In some embodiments,the border region 175 may be substantially continuous and extendlongitudinally along the first axis A. An illustrative embodiment of theborder region 175 is shown in FIG. 4 in dash line extendinglongitudinally along the first axis A and separating the apertures 160and the adherent couplings 163 from one another along the second axis B.

In some embodiments, the apertures 160 or the adherent couplings 163 maybe positioned at least in a first row 176 and a second row 177 along thefirst axis A. The apertures 160 or the adherent couplings 163 may bespaced apart from one another along the first row 176 and the second row177. In some embodiments, at least one of the adherent couplings 163 inthe first row 176 may overlap another of the adherent couplings 163 inthe second row 177. Similarly, in some embodiments, at least one of theapertures 160 in the first row 176 may overlap another of the apertures160 in the second row 177. In some embodiments, at least one of theadherent couplings 163 in the first row 176 may overlap at least aportion of a space between the adherent couplings 163 in the second row177. Similarly, in some embodiments, at least one of the apertures 160in the first row 176 may overlap at least a portion of a space betweenthe apertures 160 in the second row 177. In some embodiments, the firstrow 176 may be separated or spaced apart from the second row 177 by theborder region 175. In some embodiments, the first row 176 may besubstantially parallel to the second row 177. In some embodiments, thefirst row 176 may be positioned alongside the second row 177. Further,in some embodiments, the first row 176 may be shifted longitudinallyalong the first axis A relative to the second row 177, or otherwiseoffset relative to the second row 177. For example, the apertures 160 orthe adherent couplings 163 in the first row 176 may be offset from theapertures 160 or the adherent couplings 163 in the second row 177. Thus,in some embodiments, at least one of the adherent couplings 163 or theapertures 160 in the first row 176 may be positioned between adjacentadherent couplings 163 or apertures 160 in the second row 177.

FIGS. 5A-5B provide a detail view of a first datum line 180 a and asecond datum line 180 b moving along the first axis A of an illustrativeembodiment of the base layer 132 and the adherent surface 124 of themedical drape 114. The first datum line 180 a and the second datum line180 b may each correspond to an amount of adherent force at a discretelocation along the first axis A that may be plotted to form part of thefirst adherent force profile 170 along the first axis A. The first datumline 180 a and the second datum line 180 b are shown extending along theadherent surface 124 substantially perpendicular to the first axis A toillustrate removal or peeling of the medical drape 114 from tissue alongthe first axis A. As shown in FIG. 5A, the first datum line 180 aintersects a portion of the adherent couplings 163 and a portion of thebase layer 132 free of the adherent couplings 163. Similarly, the seconddatum line 180 b in FIG. 5B intersects a portion of the adherentcouplings 163 and a portion of the base layer 132 free of the adherentcouplings 163. Thus, the first datum line 180 a and the second datumline 180 b may each include a surface area of the adherent couplings 163and a surface area of the base layer 132 in a ratio that may be referredto as an adherent coupling to base layer ratio. Along the first axis A,at least one of the adherent couplings 163 may overlap a space, such asthe transition region 174, between another of the adherent couplings163. In such a configuration, the adherent coupling to base layer ratiomay remain greater than zero or have less variation at both the firstdatum line 180 a and the second datum line 180 b because, for example,the adherent couplings 163 and the base layer 132 each contribute to theadherent force at each location along first axis A.

As described above, portions of the base layer 132 free of the adherentcouplings 163 may have less adherent force than the adherent couplings163. The adherent coupling to base layer ratio at a discrete location ordatum on the adherent surface 124 may define, determine, or correspondto an adherent force at that discrete location or datum. For example,reducing the surface area of the adherent couplings 163 relative to thebase layer 132, or reducing the adherent coupling to base layer ratio,may reduce the adherent force. Further, reducing variation in theadherent coupling to base layer ratio moving along an axis of themedical drape 114 may reduce variation in the adherent force profile,for example, by reducing the peak-to-peak force amplitude of theadherent force profile. Such a reduced variation in the adherentcoupling to base layer ratio may provide a substantially constant orflat adherent force profile. A reduced adherent force and/or a reducedvariation in adherent force along the adherent surface 124 may providereduced pain and damage to tissue upon removal of the medical drape 114.

FIGS. 5C-5D provide a detail view of a first datum line 182 a and asecond datum line 182 b moving along the second axis B of anillustrative embodiment of the base layer 132 and the adherent surface124 of the medical drape 114. The first datum line 182 a and the seconddatum line 182 b may each correspond to an amount of adherent force at adiscrete location along the second axis B that may be plotted to formpart of the second adherent force profile 171 along the second axis B.The first datum line 182 a and the second datum line 182 b are shownextending along the adherent surface 124 substantially perpendicular tothe second axis B to illustrate removal or peeling of the medical drape114 along the second axis B. As shown in FIG. 5C, the first datum line182 a intersects a portion of the adherent couplings 163 and a portionof the base layer 132 free of the adherent couplings 163. In contrast,the second datum line 182 b in FIG. 5D intersects only the base layer132 without intersecting any of the adherent couplings 163. Thus, as themedical drape 114 is peeled or removed along the second axis B, theadherent coupling to base layer ratio drops to zero at the second datumline 182 b, which may indicate a higher variation in adherent forcealong the second axis B compared to the first axis A. As shown in FIGS.5C-5D, the border region 175 may separate the adherent couplings 163from overlapping one another along the second axis B, which may causethe adherent coupling to base layer ratio to have greater variationalong the second axis B than the first axis A.

Referring to FIG. 6 , the first adherent force profile 170 provides agraphical illustration of adherent force or load plotted versus time asthe medical drape 114 was removed from tissue along the first axis Aduring a test. Similarly, the second adherent force profile 171 providesa graphical illustration of adherent force or load plotted versus timeas the medical drape 114 was removed from tissue along the second axis Bduring the test. The adherent force or load was measured in Newtons andplotted versus time in seconds. The test results show that the firstadherent force profile 170 along the first axis A has a lower averageadherent force than the average adherent force of the second adherentforce profile 171 along the second axis B. Further, the test resultsshow that the first adherent force profile 170 has a lower peak-to-peakforce amplitude 172 than the peak-to-peak force amplitude 173 of thesecond adherent force profile 171 along the second axis A. In such aconfiguration, removal of the medical drape 114 along the first axis Amay cause less patient pain and tissue damage than removal along thesecond axis B. However, the second axis B may provide a more secureconnection to tissue or other components of the system than the firstaxis A. Therefore, a user may position the medical drape 114 at thetissue site 102 in an orientation such that an edge or portion of themedical drape 114 most at risk of peeling may be substantially alignedwith the second axis B, having a greater average adherent force than thefirst axis A. Subsequent removal of the medical drape 114 may occuralong the first axis A, having less adherent force and less variation inadherent force than the second axis B.

Referring to FIGS. 7-8 , in some embodiments, the medical drape 114 maybe used or adapted for use, without limitation, to provide, to maintain,or to strengthen a seal or connection between or among components of thesystem 100 or portions of the tissue site 102. For example, in someembodiments, the system 100 may include an optional cover 186. The cover186 may be adapted to be positioned on the outward-facing side 117 ofthe manifold 112, for example, to enhance or to provide the sealed space118 at the tissue site 102, which may contain the manifold 112. In someembodiments, the cover 186 may be adapted to extend partially orentirely across the outward-facing side 117 of the manifold 112. Themedical drape 114 may be used in combination with the cover 186 or othercomponents of the system 100 to provide the sealed space 118.

In some embodiments, the medical drape 114 may be adapted to bepositioned at, beyond, or proximate to a periphery 188 of the cover 186.The periphery 188 of the cover 186 may define an outer boundary of thecover 186. As described above, the medical drape 114 may include anaverage adherent force along the first axis A of the medical drape 114that is less than an average adherent force along the second axis B ofthe medical drape 114. In some embodiments, the first axis A of themedical drape 114 may be oriented or positioned along the periphery 188of the cover 186. Further, in some embodiments, the second axis B of themedical drape 114 may be adapted to be substantially aligned orpositioned normal to the periphery 188 of the cover 186, which mayprevent the cover 186 from peeling or losing adherence. Further, in someembodiments, the second axis B of the medical drape 114 may be adaptedto be positioned substantially perpendicular to the periphery 188 of thecover 186. In such configurations, the medical drape 114 may enhance theseal provided by the cover 186 and may prevent or eliminate peeling ofthe cover 186 away from the tissue site 102 during use.

Referring to FIG. 7 , in some embodiments, one or more of the medicaldrape 114 may be adapted to overlap at least a portion of the periphery188 of the cover 186 and tissue around a periphery of the tissue site102, such as the epidermis 106. For example, in some embodiments, themedical drape 114 may be a plurality of medical drapes 114 a, 114 b, 114c, and 114 d that may be positioned around the periphery 188 of thecover 186 and tissue around a periphery of the tissue site 102. Themedical drapes 114 a, 114 b, 114 c, and 114 d may be configured instrips as shown in FIG. 7 , or another elongate shape. However, themedical drapes 114 a-d may have other shapes without limitation.Further, in some embodiments, the cover 186 may be adapted to bepositioned between the medical drape 114 and tissue around the peripheryof the tissue site 102. Further, in some embodiments, the adherentsurface 124 of the medical drape 114 may be adapted to face the cover186 and the tissue site 102. Further, in some embodiments, the optionalsealing member 138 may include a first liquid impermeable film and thecover 186 may include a second liquid impermeable film.

Other embodiments are possible. As shown in FIG. 8 , a single medicaldrape 114 may be configured in a similar manner as the medical drapes114 a-d. For example, in some embodiments, the adherent couplings 163may be positioned in an overlapping configuration around the peripheryof the base layer 132 of the medical drape 114. Thus, the first axis Amay be substantially aligned or positioned along a periphery of the baselayer 132 of the medical drape 114, while the second axis B may bepositioned normal to the second axis A. Further, the sealing member 138and the cover 186 may be a unitary sheet of liquid impermeable film, orthe sealing member 138 may be eliminated.

In operation according to some illustrative embodiments, the manifold112 may be disposed proximate to the tissue site 102. The medical drape114 may be applied over or covering the manifold 112 and the tissue site102 to form the sealed space 118. In embodiments including the cover186, the cover 186 may be applied over or covering the manifold 112 andthe tissue site 102, and the medical drape 114 may be applied at theperiphery 188 of the cover 186. In applying the medical drape 114,depending on the embodiment, the base layer 132 may be applied coveringportions of the manifold 112, the tissue site 102, tissue around thetissue site 102, or the cover 186. The tackiness of the base layer 132may initially hold or tack the medical drape 114 in position at thetissue site 102. However, if an adjustment is desired, the initial tackof the base layer 132 may be configured to permit release or removal ofthe medical drape 114 to facilitate such an adjustment orre-positioning. Once the medical drape 114 is in a desired position, auser may apply pressure to an exterior facing side of the medical drape114, such as an exterior facing side of the sealing member 138, to causeat least some portion of the adhesive 136 to extend through or be forcedoutward from the plurality of apertures 160 to form the adherentcouplings 163. The adherent couplings 163 may provide a firm, yetreleasable attachment for contacting or coupling components of thesystem 100, portions of the tissue site 102, or tissue associated withthe tissue site 102.

In some embodiments, a method for treating a tissue site, such as thetissue site 102, may include disposing the manifold 112 proximate to thetissue site 102, and covering the manifold 112 at the tissue site 102with the cover 186. Further, the method may include providing themedical drape 114, which may include the adherent surface 124. Asdescribed above, the adherent surface 124 may include an averageadherent force along the first axis A of the medical drape 114 that isless than an average adherent force along the second axis B of themedical drape 114. Further, the method may include positioning theadherent surface 124 of the medical drape 114 on tissue around theperiphery 188 of the cover 186. The first axis A of the medical drape114 may be oriented along the periphery 188 of the cover 186. Further,the method may include delivering reduced pressure to the manifold 112,or otherwise treating the tissue site 102.

In some embodiments, the method may include removing the medical drape114 from the tissue around the periphery 188 of the cover 186 along thefirst axis A of the medical drape 114. In some embodiments, removing themedical drape 114 may include peeling the medical drape 114 away fromthe tissue around the periphery 188 of the cover 186 along the firstaxis A of the medical drape 114.

In some embodiments, the method may include positioning the second axisB of the medical drape 114 normal to the periphery 188 of the cover 186.In some embodiments, the method may include overlapping the periphery188 of the cover 186 and at least a portion of the tissue around theperiphery 188 of the cover 186 with the medical drape 114. In someembodiments, the method may include positioning at least a portion ofthe medical drape 114 on the periphery 188 of the cover 186.

In some embodiments, the medical drape 114 may include the base layer132, the sealing member 138, and the adhesive 136 configured asdescribed above. In such embodiments, the method may include applying aforce to an exterior facing side of the sealing member 138 to cause atleast a portion of the adhesive 136 to extend through the plurality ofapertures 160 in the base layer 132 into contact with the tissue aroundthe periphery 188 of the cover 186.

In some embodiments, a method for treating a tissue site, such as thetissue site 102, may include providing the medical drape 114 adhered toa tissue at the tissue site 102. The medical drape 114 may include theadherent surface 124. The adherent surface 124 may include an averageadherent force along the first axis A of the medical drape 114 that isless than an average adherent force along the second axis B of themedical drape 114. Further, the method may include removing the medicaldrape 114 from the tissue. The step of removing the medical drape 114may include peeling the medical drape 114 away from the tissue along thefirst axis A of the medical drape 114.

Although the subject matter of this disclosure has been provided by wayof example in the context of certain illustrative, non-limitingembodiments, various changes, substitutions, permutations, andalterations can be made without departing from the scope of thisdisclosure as defined by the appended claims. Any feature described inconnection to any one embodiment may also be applicable to any otherembodiment. As such, the benefits and advantages described above mayrelate to one embodiment or may relate to several embodiments. Further,the steps of the methods described herein may be carried out in anysuitable order, or simultaneously where appropriate.

What is claimed is:
 1. A medical drape for treating a tissue site,comprising: an adhesive pattern on an adherent surface including firstadherent force profile oriented along a first axis and a second adherentforce profile oriented along a second axis, the first adherent forceprofile having an average adhesive force less than an average adhesiveforce of the second adherent force profile; and a plurality of adherentcouplings positioned on the adherent surface to define the adhesivepattern, the plurality of adherent couplings positioned at least in afirst row and a second row along the first axis, at least one of theplurality of adherent couplings in the first row overlapping at least aportion of a space between the plurality of adherent couplings in thesecond row, wherein the first row is separated from the second row by aborder region extending linearly along the first axis.
 2. The medicaldrape of claim 1, wherein the adherent couplings have an aspect ratiobetween about 1.2 to about 1.8.
 3. The medical drape of claim 1, whereinthe adherent couplings have an elongate shape.
 4. The medical drape ofclaim 1, wherein the first axis is positioned substantiallyperpendicular to the second axis.
 5. The medical drape of claim 1,wherein the first adherent force profile has a peak-to-peak forceamplitude less than a peak-to-peak force amplitude of the secondadherent force profile.
 6. The medical drape of claim 1, wherein atleast one of the plurality of adherent couplings overlaps at least aportion of another of the adherent couplings along the first axis. 7.The medical drape of claim 1, further comprising at least one transitionregion positioned on the adherent surface and between the plurality ofadherent couplings along the first axis.
 8. The medical drape of claim7, wherein at least one of the plurality of adherent couplings overlapsthe transition region along the first axis.
 9. The medical drape ofclaim 1, wherein the plurality of adherent couplings are spaced apartfrom one another on the adherent surface such that at least a portion ofthe adherent surface is free of the plurality of adherent couplings, andwherein the plurality of adherent couplings have a greater adherentforce than the portion of the adherent surface free of the adherentcouplings.
 10. The medical drape of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofadherent couplings comprise an elongate length and a width positionednormal to the elongate length, and wherein the elongate length isgreater than the width and oriented along the first axis.
 11. Themedical drape of claim 1, wherein the plurality of adherent couplingsare spaced apart from one another along the first row and the secondrow.
 12. The medical drape of claim 1, wherein at least one of theadherent couplings in the first row is positioned between adjacentcouplings in the second row.
 13. The medical drape of claim 1, furthercomprising: a base layer comprising a first side, a second side oppositethe first side, and a plurality of apertures disposed through the baselayer between the first side and the second side, the first sidecarrying the adherent surface; an adhesive positioned on the second sideof the base layer and adapted to extend through the plurality ofapertures to the first side to form the plurality of adherent couplingson the adherent surface.
 14. The medical drape of claim 13, furthercomprising a sealing member adapted to cover the second side of the baselayer, wherein the adhesive is positioned between the sealing member andthe base layer and adapted to extend through the plurality of apertureswhen a force is applied to an exterior surface of sealing member. 15.The medical drape of claim 14, wherein the sealing member comprises aliquid impermeable film.
 16. The medical drape of claim 13, wherein thebase layer comprises at least one of the following: silicone,hydrocolloid, hydrogel, polyurethane gel, and polyolefin gel.
 17. Themedical drape of claim 13, wherein the adhesive comprises at least oneof the following: an acrylic adhesive and a tacky silicone adhesive. 18.A system for treating a tissue site comprising the medical drape ofclaim 1, wherein the medical drape is adapted to provide a sealed spacerelative to the tissue site, the system further comprising: a manifoldadapted to be disposed in the sealed space and to distribute reducedpressure to the tissue site; and a reduced-pressure source for fluidlycoupling to the sealed space.